ADMISSIONS: What is a PT?
What do Physical Therapist do?
PTs perform examinations, conduct tests, and develop treatment strategies to restore function, improve mobility, relieve pain, and prevent or limit permanent physical disabilities of patients suffering from injuries or disease. Some PTs treat a wide range of ailments, while others specialize in areas such as pediatrics, geriatrics, orthopedics, sports medicine, neurology, and cardiopulmonary physical therapy. PTs often consult and practice with a variety of other professionals, such as physicians, dentists, nurses, educators, social workers, occupational therapists, speech-language pathologists, and audiologists.
What does the future look like?
The U. S. Department of Labor Statistics lists the PT profession as one of the fastest growing in the nation and projects an additional 56,000 will be needed by 2014. Salary data provided by the APTA shows the average salary for all PTs in 2004 to be $54,883.
Learn more about the field of Physical Therapy at the American Physical Therapy Association web site, www.apta.org